Food Distribution Expert Enlisted by Artisan Food Explorer Valentine Foods

Valentine Foods has enlisted the skills and expertise of family food distributor and supply chain specialist Oakland International to support the national launch of their range of artisan foods. Oakland will be providing ambient storage, picking and distribution for a selection of fine food products destined for retailer shelves across the UK.

Family business Valentine Foods is the brainchild of Julian and Sarah Valentine who began their artisan journey thanks to their love and passion for good food, quality products and exciting taste experiences. Seizing on an opportunity to connect directly with like-minded food producers, they now offer delicious world foods which are healthy, contain no added sugar or preservatives and with the majority being gluten free.

Oakland International Strategic Development Manager, Peter Vaughan, said: “Oakland has a similar ethos to Valentine Foods and we have an understanding of the journey a family business needs to take with everyone contributing and being fully involved in every aspect of the job compared to other businesses where you tend to have a more clearly defined set of responsibilities, with Oakland’s focus firmly on adding value throughout the network.

“The reception for Valentine Foods’ offering has been very encouraging and we are delighted at their success to date in identifying and developing such a niche market, with the company looking to further expand their product range. We will continue to add network value and improve competitive advantage through our team as a responsible family business, with the vision of being an employer of choice in the communities in which we operate.”

In supporting Valentine Foods’ passion and drive to deliver and grow their business, Oakland International is employing all available efficiencies and working closely with the customer to ensure products go from storage to distribution as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.

Julian Valentine commented: “Sarah and I saw an opportunity to go out and explore new possibilities, to meet producers who share the same passion and to discover delicious foods that deserve to be enjoyed by you. There are so many wonderful foods around the world, as well as closer to home around the regions of the UK, and we want to bring them home to you.

“To enable this to happen we need to work with a supply chain partner who can deliver on our promises, and having worked with Oakland International previously over a number of years in buying roles for major UK food retailers, they were our obvious choice.”